Shillong, Oct 10: Independent legislator from Gambegre constituency, Saleng A. Sangma alleged that “doubtful citizens” were included as beneficiaries under the the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) of the state government.

In a petition submitted to Governor, Ganga Prasad, Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma, and Chief Electoral Officer, F.R. Kharkongor, Saleng attatched a list of 28 households of “doubtful citizens” whose names have been included in the MHIS list.

The list showed that the 28 households belonged to his Gambegre constituency.

MHIS is a universal health insurance scheme in Meghalaya, utilizing the existing the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana framework to provide health insurance to all person resident in the state excluding state and central government.

Under MHIS phase-III, the state government has enhanced insurance cover of Rs 2.80 lakh for up to five members of a family on a floater basis.

Saleng urged the Governor to direct the state government to delete the names of “doubtful citizens” from the MHIS list as this would facilitate them to enjoy the right to vote.

“Such doubtful citizens may even use the MHIS card to prove their identity and get their names enrolled in the electoral rolls of the state. In my constituency, there are no voters from the Muslim community. I am shocked to see that 28 households have been included in the health insurance scheme. This is a case of doubtful citizens,” Saleng said.

The MLA also demanded that stren action should be initiated against officers involved in registering the names of “doubtful citizens” as MHIS beneficiaries.